August 2019 Regulatory Update

The voluntary standard, ASTM F404-18, defines High Chairs as a “a free-standing chair for a child up to 3 years of age which has a seating surface more than 15 inches above the floor and elevates the child normally for the purposes of feeding or eating.” This standard lists the requirements for high chairs as well as the corresponding test methods to check the following:

• threaded fasteners;
• sharp edges and points;
• small parts;
• wood parts;
• latching or locking mechanisms;
• permanency of labels;
• openings;
• lead in paint;
• forward, sideways, and rearward stability;
• exposed coil springs;
• scissoring, shearing, and pinching;
• restraint systems;
• structural integrity;
• tray latch release mechanisms;
• side containment;
• protrusions;
• protective components;
• tray or front torso support;
• static loads on the seat, step, footrest, and tray;
• bounded openings;
• warnings and labels; and
• instructional literature

Compared with the previous version, ASTM F404-15, the current standard incorporates more stringent requirements in Stability Requirements, Warning Label Requirements and Instructional Literature Requirements.

The purpose of this rule is to update the reference in the Code of Federal Regulations to accurately reflect the latest version of ASTM standard F1169-19 for Full-Size Baby Cribs. According to the standard, a revision was done to clarify that all warnings, including lower-priority warnings, must be affixed somewhere on the crib, and not merely referenced in a manual or instructions.

Gates may serve as barriers that are intended to be erected in an opening to prevent the passage of young children. Enclosures may serve as barriers intended to completely surround an area or play-space to confine young children. The voluntary standard, ASTM F1004-19, consists of general requirements addressing different safety issues related to the following:

• wood parts;
• screws;
• sharp edges or points;
• small parts;
• exposed coil springs;
• scissoring, shearing, and pinching;
• lead in paint; and
• protective components

The standard also references performance requirements and test methods specific to gates and enclosures. The requirements relate to:

• completely bounded openings;
• height of sides;
• vertical strength;
• bottom spacing;
• configuration of uppermost edge;
• latching/locking and hinge mechanisms;
• automatic closing system;
• push-out force strength;
• ocking devices;
• toys;
• slat strength; and
• label testing

The Commission has proposed that 6 months after publication of the final rule in the Federal Register, the standard will become effective.

The voluntary standard, ASTM F2012-18, defines Stationary Activity Centers (SACs) as a “freestanding product intended to remain stationary that enables a sitting or standing occupant whose torso is completely surrounded by the product to walk, rock, play, spin or bounce, or all of these, within a limited range of motion.’’ It addresses the risk of injuries and deaths associated with Stationary Activity Centers. It also contains testing and requirements related to:

• sharp edges and points;
• small parts;
• latching or locking mechanisms to prevent unintentional folding;
• openings;
• scissoring, shearing, and pinching;
• exposed coil springs;
• toy accessories sold with SACs;
• protective components;
• spring failures on spring-supported SACs;
• structural integrity;
• leg openings;
• stability (including tip overs and seat tilt);
• motion resistance
• warnings and labels; and
• instructional literature

Previously, only specific flame retardants were banned. With this new bill, all organo-halogenated flame retardants will be prohibited. There are some exemptions to this requirement, which are listed below:

• A children’s product, mattress, upholstered residential furniture, or residential textile for which a federal flammability standard exists;
• An electronic component that is part of a children’s product, mattress, upholstered residential furniture, or residential textile; and
• Components of an adult mattress other than foam.

There is also a prohibition of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS chemicals) in Class B firefighting foams with an effective date of July 1, 2020.

• 2-Amino-4-chlorophenol (CAS No. 95-85-2),
• 2-Chloronitrobenzene (CAS No. 88-73-3),
• 1,4-Dichloro-2-nitrobenzene (CAS No. 89-61-2),
• 2,4-Dichloro-1-nitrobenzene (CAS No. 611-06-3),
• N,N-Dimethylacetamide (CAS No. 127-19-5), and
• Para-Nitroanisole (CAS No. 100-17-4)

The chemicals in the proposal are commonly applied as intermediates or solvents in chemical synthesis. The public comment period for OEHHA closed on August 12, 2019.

PCBTF has been found to cause cancer in humans, and is a common solvent used in the printing industry to dissolve ink.

Recent 60-day notices from January of 2019 to June of 2019 include the following:

The added chemicals are as follows:

The deadline for notification about the presence of the new SVHCs in articles is January 16, 2020, six months after their inclusion on the list.

With immediate effect, manufacturers of trampolines are now able to use EN 71-14:2018 to demonstrate their product complies with all the necessary requirements in accordance to the EU Toys Safety Directive.

With a view to providing sufficient time for manufacturers to adapt to the latest version of the standard, the previous version EN 71-14:2014+A1:2017, will remain valid until January 22, 2020.

SASO 2829: Ribbed Board Containers - Requirements

SASO 2827: Millboard, greyboard and strawboard

SASO ISO 536: Paper and board - Determination of grammage

SASO ISO 186: Paper and board - Sampling to determine average quality

SASO ISO TS 17958: Paper and board - Determination of fracture toughness - Constant rate of elongation method

For cement products, including white cement and ready-mixed concrete, under M.A. 161-17-07-02 Technical regulation for building materials - part III, the SASO Quality Mark is required starting from September 9, 2019. In the definition of building materials, the regulation includes products such as cement, building lime, gypsum and premixed concrete products.

The following technical regulations will be implemented on SABER at the specified day. Products falling under their scope will have to be registered through SABER for importing into Saudi Arabia after implementation. This schedule covers all currently existing product based on technical regulations, and some of those that are to be issued in the future. Please refer to previous regulatory updates for details on the SABER system. (See Regulatory Update December 2018)